Columbia County Demographics

A map of Columbia County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	50,351	50,795	82.4%	82.5%
Hispanic	3,827	3,542	6.3%	5.8%
Multiracial	2,933	2,955	4.8%	4.8%
Black	2,169	2,421	3.5%	3.9%
Asian	1,308	1,423	2.1%	2.3%
Native American/Other	512	434	0.8%	0.7%

Columbia County, New York has an estimated population of 61,100, a less than 1% change from the 61,570 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 82.4% White, 6.3% Hispanic, 4.8% Multiracial, 3.5% Black, 2.1% Asian, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Columbia County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Columbia is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New York overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Columbia County, that probability was 31.2% in 2020 and 31.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbia County is ranked the 40th most populous county in New York, out of 62 counties. Columbia County was ranked the 40th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Columbia County's White Population

50,351 residents of Columbia County, or 82.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbia County is significantly higher than in New York overall, where 52.8% of the population is White. Columbia County ranks 34th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 82.4%.

Columbia County is more White than neighboring Rensselaer County (78.7% White), Albany County (68% White), and Dutchess County (66.1% White). Columbia County is less White than neighboring Berkshire County (84.8% White), and Greene County (82.8% White).

Columbia County's Black Population

2,169 residents of Columbia County, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbia County is lower than in New York overall, where 13.4% of the population is Black. Columbia County ranks 29th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Black population has declined by an estimated 10.4%. Black residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.5%.

Columbia County is more Black than neighboring Berkshire County (2.6% Black). Columbia County is less Black than neighboring Rensselaer County (6.5% Black), Albany County (11.5% Black), Greene County (4.5% Black), and Dutchess County (9.2% Black).

Columbia County's Asian Population

1,308 residents of Columbia County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbia County is lower than in New York overall, where 9% of the population is Asian. Columbia County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 8.1%. Asian residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.1%.

Columbia County is more Asian than neighboring Berkshire County (1.9% Asian), and Greene County (1.2% Asian). Columbia County is less Asian than neighboring Rensselaer County (3.2% Asian), Albany County (7.5% Asian), and Dutchess County (3.4% Asian).

Columbia County's Hispanic Population

3,827 residents of Columbia County, or 6.3% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbia County is considerably lower than in New York overall, where 19.8% of the population is Hispanic. Columbia County ranks 26th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 8.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbia County's population has increased from 5.8% to 6.3%.

Columbia County is more Hispanic than neighboring Berkshire County (5.9% Hispanic), and Rensselaer County (6.2% Hispanic). Columbia County is less Hispanic than neighboring Albany County (7.3% Hispanic), Greene County (6.8% Hispanic), and Dutchess County (15.4% Hispanic).

Columbia County's Native American/Other Population

512 residents of Columbia County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Columbia County is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 1.2% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbia County ranks 29th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 18.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Columbia County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Berkshire County (0.6% Native American/Other), Rensselaer County (0.6% Native American/Other), Albany County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Greene County (0.6% Native American/Other). Columbia County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Dutchess County (0.9% Native American/Other).

Columbia County's Multiracial Population

2,933 residents of Columbia County, or 4.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbia County is comparable to the share in New York overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Columbia County ranks 11th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 62 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbia County's Multiracial population has remained roughly the same. Multiracial residents' share of Columbia County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.8%.

Columbia County is more Multiracial than neighboring Berkshire County (4.3% Multiracial), and Greene County (4.2% Multiracial). Columbia County is less Multiracial than neighboring Albany County (5% Multiracial), and Dutchess County (4.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.